Guānxì and the Centurion: A Preliminary Chinese-Indonesian Intercultural Reading of the Bible (Luke 7:1-10 as a Test Case)

Abstract

This article offers a preliminary Chinese-Indonesian intercultural reading of biblical texts. Taking Luke 7:1-10 as a test case, it examines the interplay of three variables: the centurion’s faith (Luke 7:1-10), gua¯nxì, and the Chinese-Indonesian Christian Mission. In doing so, it utilises Thomas Grenham’s intercultural theology as its conceptual framework. I argue that reading gua¯nxì and the centurion of Luke 7:1-10 interculturally will illuminate Christian Mission works in Indonesia. While focusing on the Indonesian Mission, I also promote a multidisciplinary approach to missiology for the global and plural context.